289N Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211

The 22-unit, 6-story tenement building at 289 North Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, owned by Harriet Hymowitz, has experienced recurring maintenance issues since late 2023, with significant problems centered around water damage and mold. Between November 2023 and August 2024, there were multiple 311 service requests and Housing Maintenance Code Complaints related to unsanitary conditions (mold), water leaks, and paint/plaster issues, with several of these complaints resulting in violations. Particularly notable were the violations issued in January 2024 concerning water leaks, mold conditions, and problems with safety equipment in Apartment 5, including defective smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

The building also faced rodent issues in mid-2024, with inspections confirming rat activity in multiple months (May, June, and July 2024). While there have been three investigations of building stability concerns (in 2023, 2024, and 2025), each resulted in no violations being warranted. The building's bedbug reporting history from 2019 through 2025 shows no infestations recorded during the annual reporting periods.

The property has undergone various inspections and addressed multiple violations over the years, including completing the required bedbug report in 2025 confirming zero infested units for the current reporting period. Recent plumbing and water-related issues appear to be the most persistent concern, with three emergency complaints in late 2023 regarding heavy water flow, sink problems, and visible mold conditions. The building's age (constructed in 1910) and its classification as a "New Law Tenement" suggest it was built under early 20th-century building codes, which continues to require ongoing maintenance and compliance with modern housing standards. While recent violation notices have been generally addressed, with multiple complaints being closed without penalties, the pattern of water-related issues and mold complaints since 2023 indicates an ongoing challenge with moisture management in the building.